Australia news
Record-breaking 4.9m hectares of land burned in NSW this bushfire season | Australia news
A record-breaking area of land has been burned in New South Wales this bushfire season, according to the latest figures released by the Rural Fire Service. A total of 4.9m hectares – an area larger than Denmark – has been destroyed in the state during the nationwide fire crisis. The total area burned across NSW, …
Two standard alcoholic drinks a day no longer safe, health officials say | Society
It is no longer safe to have two standard drinks a day, Australian health officials have warned. Released just in time for Christmas, the National Health and Medical Research Council on Monday published a draft report which updated Australia’s alcohol guidelines for the first time since 2009. The new guidelines warn that adults should have …
Gender health gap: Australian medical research ignoring drugs’ side effects in women | Australia news
Women are being ignored in medical trials and reports, according to a report which calls for more Australian medical research to include gender-specific data. Failing to account for the different effects a drug may have on men and women compromises quality of care for women, according to the report published in the Medical Journal of …
Behrouz Boochani calls Christchurch welcome a ‘reminder of kindness’ | World news
The city of Christchurch has welcomed Behrouz Boochani with a civic reception and a traditional Māori mihi whakatau – a formal welcome – as his presence, and liberty, in New Zealand once again underscores the country’s political differences with Australia over immigration. Boochani was formally greeted from the plane by the mayor of Christchurch and …
Josh Frydenberg calls for reform of World Trade Organisation and its dispute rules | Australia news
Josh Frydenberg will argue for reform of major international economic institutions including new trade dispute rules and greater input for “emerging” Asian economies in a speech to be delivered on Tuesday at the Australian National University. In excerpts of the speech, seen by Guardian Australia, the treasurer calls for Australia to play an “active and …
Remote Indigenous community wins decade-long health battle | Australia news
After a 10-year battle by elders and renal health workers in central Australia, the first remote South Australian dialysis clinic officially opened its doors this week at Pukatja (Ernabella), an Anangu community about seven hours south-west of Alice Springs. Seven patients, who were previously living in Adelaide, Port Augusta and Alice Springs for treatment, have …
Two Australians die climbing in New Zealand’s Remarkables mountain range | World news
Two Australians have died in a climbing accident in the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown in New Zealand. New Zealand police said in a statement on Thursday that 62-year-old Brett Lentfer and 44-year-old James Spaile of Australia died on Wednesday after falling. “Our condolences are with the family and friends of both men,” they said. …
Coalition warned outlawing climate boycotts could breach constitution | World news
Academics have warned that changes to competition law to shut down environmental boycotts could breach the constitution, as some Coalition MPs are expressing nervousness privately about Scott Morrison signalling a controversial crackdown last week. The attorney-general Christian Porter has nominated activist group Market Forces as the intended target of the Coalition’s efforts to temper activism, …
Private health insurers say cost of medical devices putting pressure on premiums | Australia news
At a presentation to the Actuaries Institute conference in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon, the Private Healthcare Australia chairman, John Hill, will say insurers find it challenging not to pass on the rising costs of medical devices through premium increases. In December, the health minister, Greg Hunt, boasted that the government’s reforms to make private health …